An Idiot's Guide to Current Music

Archive for June, 2011

Ok, I know we’re halfway through June, but cut me some slack. I’ve got a lot going on and the pay for this stinks. There have been quite a few noteworthy albums this year already. I’ll give you a quick run down of my top 5 favorites of this year. Since I didn’t do a proper 2010 top ten, I owe at least this much to you. Starting with number 5

5. Drive By Truckers - Go Go Boots

A follow up to 2010’s “The Big To-Do”. This is a sort of sequel. Much of the album revolves around several characters. The main one being a preacher who cheats with a prostitute. He also ends up murdering his wife. Good times!

4. Okkervil River-I Am Very Far

It’s been almost 3 years since we last heard from Okkervil River (unless you count them being Roky Erickson’s backup band last year). They deliver here with some very tense songs. The first track “The Valley” made it to my summer BBQ playlist after I heard the drums kick in at about the :10 mark.

3. Radiohead - The King of Limbs

Radiohead returns with another journey into the weird. This is a tough listen, but if you are patient, it’s a rewarding record.

2. TV on the Radio - Nine Types of Light

The most accessible album by TVOR. It has an eerie sound to it since bass player Gerard Smith passed away less than 2 weeks after its release. It’s also odd that after the bass and drum heavy “Dear Science” that the bass is really scaled back on this record.

1. The Decemberists - The King is Dead

After 2 rock opera-ish records, The Decemberists return with a country rock album. The opening track, “Don’t Carry It All,” is a big time foot stomper. Peter Buck from R.E.M. contributes with some fun results. “Down To The Water” sounds like a vintage R.E.M. song (think “The One I Love”).

That was a tough list to make, and it’s only June! There’s a good chance I’ll have scrapped this once December rolls around for the top 10. For example, I just haven’t had time to digest new albums by My Morning Jacket, Death Cab for Cutie and Arctic Monkeys.

Hopefully I can get back into doing some more writing, because there is a lot to write about. I have a new band that I can’t wait to write about. I got to see them in concert a few weeks ago and they blew me away. I’ll give you a full report on them soon. Until then, happy listening.